Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#91659 - 02/28/08 06:22 PM 1000 smoking vacuum cleaner belts
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
Last night at 4:00 am I wake up because I smell something weird. I mean, I wake up from a dead sleep because it's so strong. I wake up my wife and ask her, "You smell something?".

Finally, I think, that smells kinda like a vacuum cleaner belt when it's getting smoked. She agrees. SHOOT, something must be burning!

I wake everybody up and we start looking for smoke and whatever it is that smells. I run down into the basement and check the furnace and shut off the breakers that power it and head back upstairs. By now my eyes and throat are starting to burn a bit like I've gotten sprayed with pepper spray and I'm really wondering what's going on. I can't find smoke anywhere.

Finally, my wife and daughter come in from outside and tell me there was a skunk under the deck that sprayed one of our cats.

That skunk didn't hold back any juice, I can tell you that for sure. I've smelled a lot of skunks, but this one topped them all for pure malodorous power and surefire repellent potency.

The house still smells a little even tonight and my throat still burns a little too. I'm sure glad I've never been sprayed while bushwhacking around <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Top
#91660 - 02/28/08 06:27 PM Re: 1000 smoking vacuum cleaner belts [Re: billstephenson]
Earthling Offline
member

Registered: 02/22/03
Posts: 3228
Loc: USA
That sucks Bill <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> I had a skunk cruise by the deck the other night like it owned the place. You know, it sashyed across the deck in that skunk waddle that says,"I'm the baddest little soB in the woods" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> It looked just like a big black farm cat which was even scarier. Now I know what's been lickin' my outdoor grill in the campfire pit <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> It's going to be hard to sleep out under a tarp in the yard with it around. I can see myself waking up to it sniffing around under there while I'm asleep <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

At least it got a cat and nothing else, guess that cat is'nt coming in for awhile <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!

Top
#91661 - 02/28/08 07:06 PM Re: 1000 smoking vacuum cleaner belts [Re: Earthling]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
I kicked a skunk one July night.

I had my troop at Boy Scout summer camp. We made a big deal of not using flashlights unless absolutely necessary (this was in the days before long-lived LED lights; we were trying not to spend the whole treasury on batteries.) So, when I headed for the latrine on a half-moon night, no lights.

Felt this soft "thud" and almost tripped. I looked down, and saw white - the stripe of the skunk I just kicked. It looked up at me as if to say, "I'll really be glad when all you guys go home for the winter." Didn't get sprayed or anything - I guess 3 months of Scouts everywhere had pretty much habituated the local wildlife.

This other time, at ban...er, Scout camp, I was showing off, sleeping under the stars, and had a skunk start sniffing the foot of my bivy sack. A little wiggle of the feet, and it decided I was harmless - or witless, or whatever.

Gotta love skunks. From a distance. Or in cartoons.

Top
#91662 - 02/28/08 07:11 PM Re: 1000 smoking vacuum cleaner belts [Re: Glenn]
Earthling Offline
member

Registered: 02/22/03
Posts: 3228
Loc: USA
Last year I had a litter of the little critters in a hole in the field. I took photos, I have to shoot them to Tim so he can post them. they would walk right up to me like kittens, then turn around and do their little handstands <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> that's when I 'd split like the wind <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> those little suckers know the 'dance' before they are 5 months old I tell ya <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!

Top
#91663 - 02/28/08 07:16 PM Re: 1000 smoking vacuum cleaner belts [Re: billstephenson]
Dryer Offline

Moderator

Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
My dog decided to shake the daylights out of a skunk once. An upclose spraying is a gagging smell that is unforgetable. Nothing at all like the distant skunk road kill smell.
_________________________
paul, texas KD5IVP

Top
#91664 - 02/28/08 08:33 PM Re: 1000 smoking vacuum cleaner belts [Re: billstephenson]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

I've had a dog get it bad while out in the bush when I was young, it was a real treat getting
back with him. up close and nasty it's way beyond just a skunk sniff. It's penetratingly awful.
I remember trying to help my folks get the stink out. nothing worked more than "helping".
it just had to wear off - every time the dog got wet for months you smelled skunk.
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#91665 - 02/28/08 09:16 PM Re: 1000 smoking vacuum cleaner belts [Re: billstephenson]
cdrobbins Offline
newbie

Registered: 02/12/08
Posts: 12
Loc: Indianapolis, IN
supposedly they make great pets. after they're de-scented, of course.

Top
#91666 - 02/28/08 10:02 PM Re: 1000 smoking vacuum cleaner belts [Re: billstephenson]
jasonlivy Offline
member

Registered: 01/02/04
Posts: 654
Loc: Colorado
I was sleeping in a bivy one clear night in my local foothills when a skunk walked right up to my face. There was only no-see-um mesh in between me and it's face. I was half alseep, but when I realized what was out there I simply froze. Luckily I didn't freak out. He had smelled my hot chocolate cup and was licking around the rim. I've learned not to put my used cup and spoon near my face when I'm in my bivy from now on.

Soon it waddled off after about 10 minutes of me staring it directly in the face (I was so close I could hear his tongue lapping the cup). Actually I wanted to get out and pet it. As soon as it got about 15 feet away, I jumped out of the sack (in my underwear) and threw rocks at it furiously to scare it off. Luckily the wind was blowing in the right direction and it was far enough away that it's spray wouldn't have reached me. Getting to sleep in a bivy is hard enough let alone after such an upclose encounter with something that could really ruin your day. It took me awhile to get back to sleep to say the least.
_________________________
Believe, then you will Understand...

Top
#91667 - 02/29/08 06:35 PM Re: 1000 smoking vacuum cleaner belts [Re: Earthling]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
Two other quick stories I'd somewhat repressed:

My first encounter was when one wandered into the vestibule of the tent a buddy and I were sharing. Very much a "now that we've got it, what do we do?" moment. When whispered "shoo"s didn't work, I raised an arm to sit up and brushed against the nylon wall. The "whoosh" sound got his attention and he quickly wandered off - without leaving a "memory." We got lucky, I think.

The other is another Scout Camp story. We had just grown the troop to a third patrol: a bunch of Webelos we had crossed over a few weeks earlier. We warned them about cleaning up after supper and securing all the food and cook gear since we knew skunks and/or raccoons were likely to visit. Naturally, they listened attentively - and promptly decided that going to play Frisbee was more important. An hour or so later, we scoutmasters heard a big hubbub down in the new patrol's campsite; we quick-stepped down to see, though we knew what had happened. I arrived just as one boy raised a shovel over his head and said, "Let's klong that skunk with this." I grabbed the shovel handle and said, "Let's not." Again, the skunks were habituated; they ate their fill and left (I swear one looked back and smirked.) For the rest of the week, that patrol had a shipshape patrol site.

Good times, good times.

Top
#91668 - 02/29/08 07:35 PM Re: 1000 smoking vacuum cleaner belts [Re: Glenn]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Quote:

The other is another Scout Camp story. We had just grown the troop to a third patrol: a bunch of Webelos we had crossed over a few weeks earlier. We warned them about cleaning up after supper and securing all the food and cook gear since we knew skunks and/or raccoons were likely to visit. Naturally, they listened attentively - and promptly decided that going to play Frisbee was more important. An hour or so later, we scoutmasters heard a big hubbub down in the new patrol's campsite; we quick-stepped down to see, though we knew what had happened. I arrived just as one boy raised a shovel over his head and said, "Let's klong that skunk with this." I grabbed the shovel handle and said, "Let's not." Again, the skunks were habituated; they ate their fill and left (I swear one looked back and smirked.) For the rest of the week, that patrol had a shipshape patrol site.


My scout story's almost identical, but a bit different. We took canoes to an island in a lake, I knew
the site, and had suggested it. On the largest place our troop set up, and I proceeded to tell huge tall tales about bears on the island (there are no bears anywhere around it). Needless to say, everyone in the troop hung their food - with one exception..

Our two college age troop leaders decided to camp in a somewhat separated spot about 100 meters away down the shore. They didn't clean up so good after supper, and left their food bag out.
Four skunks came sauntering into their camp with them in their tent, leaving them cowering in their tent while they proceeded to lick their dishes clean, eat their dishrag, their food bag, and everything in the food bag. No amount of hooting and hollering would chase them off. One of them had to canoe back for replacement supplies for the two of them.

No, we didn't let them live it down very easy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
Any fool can be uncomfortable...
My 3 season gear list
Winter list.
Browse my pictures


Top
#91669 - 03/01/08 11:15 AM Re: 1000 smoking vacuum cleaner belts [Re: billstephenson]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
Bill
Having lived in a high skunk area and since I fed cats and opposums I also had skunks. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Since my backyard was a mess I had an old plastic garbage can laying on its side half buried in the dirt and I saw a skunk go in there one day and realised that they actually lived in my backyard. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Anyway I chased the skunk off with the garden hose. They don't like rain and they don't relate garden hoses as offensive weaponry, so they don't look for someone to spray back. Then I cleaned up all the "camping spaces" in my yard. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Jim
I did have a vole or something burrow up under my tent. I heard him coming up and it scared me at first, then I saw something wiggling a spot on the floor of my tent and I smacked my hand down on it - not hard enough to injure it, but just to say "Dude you are coming up at the wrong spot".
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

Top
#91670 - 03/01/08 07:10 PM Re: 1000 smoking vacuum cleaner belts [Re: Jimshaw]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
While carpooling to Central Washington University one spring (a long time ago), the vehicle in which I was riding (and studying for a test) came to an abrupt stop. There, crossing the highway, was Mommy Skunk, followed by five baby skunks, all in a line. Cutest thing I've ever seen, but I was very glad (for multiple reasons, especially olfactory) that we didn't hit them!
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#91671 - 03/04/08 05:31 PM Re: 1000 smoking vacuum cleaner belts [Re: billstephenson]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
Those are all pretty good skunk stories, I especially like that one about the skunk sharing the tea!

I just found out why that skunky smell woke me up:

I must have these chemosensory cells

Bill

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 180 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum